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| Colleagues came together to honor Carolyn during her workforce retirement celebration. |
I’ve had the privilege of working with Carolyn across two organizations. Our journey began at Caritas Christi in Massachusetts, where I witnessed firsthand her brilliance and commitment to doing what’s right for patients. When I arrived at GBMC in 2010, I reached out to Carolyn to ask if she’d consider taking on a challenge and helping us build a true quality program aligned with our vision.
Thankfully, Carolyn said yes, and her husband Marco was supportive and willing to relocate to Baltimore. That decision changed the course of our health system.
Upon her arrival, Carolyn partnered with then-Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Saunders to develop the Quality and Patient Safety program that would come to define us today. What started as a vision became reality through initiatives like public-facing dashboards, Patient and Family Advisory Councils, and the inclusion of patients and staff in Board Quality meetings. She championed meaningful ideas like Just Culture and the CARES peer support program. These systems emphasize accountability, compassion, and respect for the workforce.
Under Carolyn’s leadership, GBMC became the first healthcare system in Maryland to earn the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a national symbol of excellence that reflects the culture she helped create: one of transparency, Lean thinking, and relentless learning from safety events. This is a significant accomplishment that we could not have achieved without her.
Carolyn’s impact reaches far beyond GBMC. She has contributed to national progress through her roles with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the National Patient Safety Steering Committee, and the Baldrige Program. Her daily emails served as insight on our progress toward patient safety goals and consistently reminded us about our shared purpose. Carolyn has guided us in our work and helped us become better leaders, colleagues, and care providers.
The quality program she built is a foundational part of who we are, and her legacy will continue to touch the lives of patients and families for generations to come.
On a personal note, Carolyn has been far more than a trusted colleague: She’s been a wise advisor and a dear friend. I often joke that I wouldn’t let her retire until I decided to also retire.
Carolyn: Thank you. We wish you joy, health, and plenty of time to enjoy your grandchildren and family in this well-earned next chapter.
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